Optical fiber ferrule connector having enhanced provisions for tuning

ABSTRACT

An optical connector ( 20 ) includes a ferrule assembly ( 22 ), which is adapted to be received in a plug frame ( 70 ). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly ( 40 ) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip ( 90 ) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key ( 92 ) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip. An optical connection between optical fibers terminated by two connectors is made by inserting the grip of each of the two connectors into a coupling housing ( 100 ) so that the keys are aligned. Advantageously, portions of the connector may be factory assembled which facilitates field use of the connector to terminate optical fiber.

Application Ser. No. 08/443,978, filed May 18, 1995, and applicationSer. No. 08/931,916, filed May 18, 1995, are copending applicationswhich are each reissue applications of application Ser. No. 07/889,203,filed May 27, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,752.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an optical fiber ferrule connector havingenhanced provisions for tuning. More particularly, the invention relatesto an SC connector which includes enhanced provisions for tuningeccentricity of an optical fiber core or fiber-receiving passageway inthe ferrule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical fiber connectors and splices are an essential part of opticalfiber communications systems. Connectors may be used to join lengths ofoptical fiber into longer lengths, or to connect optical fiber to activedevices such as radiation sources, detectors, or repeaters, or topassive devices such as switches or attenuators.

An optical fiber connector must meet at least two requirements. It mustcouple or join two optical fibers with minimum insertion loss. Secondly,it must provide mechanical stability and protection to the junctionbetween the optical fibers in the working environment. Achieving lowinsertion loss in coupling two optical fibers in generally a function ofthe alignment of the optical fiber ends, the width of the gap betweenthe ends, and the optical surface condition of the ends. Stability andjunction protection is generally a function of connector design, suchas, for example, the minimization of differential thermal expansioneffects.

Many approaches to achieving fiber alignment can be found in the priorart. Among them are V-grooves, resilient ferrules, and conical bushings.A discussion of prior art connectors is provided in R. Schultz,Proceedings of the Optical Fiber Conference, Los Angeles (September1982), pp. 165-170.

Some prior art optical fiber connectors contain one or moreprecision-machined parts and therefore are relatively costly items.Whereas this may be acceptable for some applications, in other cases thecost of such prior art connectors might constitute a significantfraction of the total installation cost. Thus, strong incentives existfor providing optical fiber connectors that do not require expensiveprecision-machined parts.

A further consideration in connector design is the relative ease offield installation of the connector. It is desirable that a sought-afterconnector be capable of being installed within a relatively short periodof time without requiring special skills or manipulations not easilycarried out in the field. Further, it is desired that an optical fiberconnector be capable of field-terminating a length of optical fiber.

A prior art connector which has many of the above-listed desirablefeatures includes two drawn glass cylindrical plugs or ferrules, with afiber end portion inserted into a close-fitting passageway of eachferrule, and the connection between the two fiber ends made by insertingthe ferrules in end-to-end fashion into an alignment sleeve thatmaintains the outer surfaces of the two ferrule in registry. Thisconnector design relies on the capability of producing ferrules to veryclose tolerances by drawing them from a glass preform. Relative rotationof the two ferrules typically changes the relative position of thefibers held within the passageway because of the eccentricity of theoptical fiber core which respect to the ferrule. Eccentricity is definedas the distance between the longitudinal centroidal axis of the ferruleat an end face of the ferrule and the centroidal axis of the opticalfiber core held within the passageway of the ferrule. Generally, thepassageway is not concentric with the outer cylindrical surface which isthe reference surface. Also, the optical fiber may not be centeredwithin the ferrule passageway and the fiber core may not be concentricwith the outer surface of the fiber. Hence, the eccentricity iscomprised of the eccentricity of the optical fiber within the ferrulepassageway and the eccentricity of the passageway within the ferrule.

Because it is very difficult to control the eccentricity of the opticalfiber core in the ferrule in which it is terminated, it is difficult toachieve desired losses of 0.1 dB or less in single mode fibers withoutmaintaining close tolerances so that the opposed cores are aligned towithin about 0.7 μm. This, of course, increases manufacturing costs.

If the total eccentricities of the two optical fiber ends to be joinedare identical or at least very nearly so, then a low-loss connection canbe achieved by merely rotating, within the alignment sleeves, oneferrule with respect to the other, until maximum coupling is observed.

Central to a so-called prealigned rotary splice is the recognition thateccentricity between ferrule passageway and ferrule cylindrical surfacesessentially will have no effect on alignment of fibers terminated by twoferrules if the two ferrules have essentially the same amount ofpassageway eccentricity relative to the cylindrical surfaces and if theferrules are aligned such that the eccentricities are in the same radialdirection from centroidal axes of the ferrules or are in the samequadrant.

Another popular optical fiber connector is one known as the SCconnector. An SC connector includes a ferrule assembly which includes abarrel having a collar at one end and an optical fiber terminatingferrule projecting from the barrel. The ferrule assembly is disposed ina plug frame such that an end portion of the ferrule projects from oneend of the plug frame and a strength member retention portion of a cableretention member is disposed over the barrel projecting from the otherend. The plug frame is configured so that it is polarized with respectto a grip into which the plug frame snap-locks. One grip is insertedinto one end of a coupler housing and another grip is inserted intoanother end of the coupler housing to cause the ends of the ferrules tobecome disposed in optical connection with each other.

The foregoing assembly is made so that the direction of eccentricity ofthe ferrule passageway becomes aligned with a key disposed on an outersurface of the grip. In order to cause the direction of eccentricity tobecome aligned with the key, inasmuch as the plug frame can only beinserted in one orientation, the ferrule must be oriented with respectto the plug frame prior to its assembly therewith. This is a somewhatdifficult task and consumes excessive time. Also, whereas the SCconnector has a number of advantageous features, in its present form itis difficult to use to field-terminate optical fibers.

What is sought after and what seemingly is not available in the art isan SC ferrule connector in which the eccentricity of the ferrulefiber-receiving passageway is aligned with a key of a grip and in whichthe eccentricity of the passageway may be determined after the ferruleassembly has been assembled with another portion of the connector and/orafter the ferrule assembly has been used to terminate an end portion ofan optical fiber. The capability of delayed eccentricity determinationshould reduce the cost of such a connector and render it more marketableto a wider segment of the industry. Also, sought after is an SCconnector which is easily used for field termination of optical fiber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems of the prior art have been overcome by theconnector of this invention. An optical fiber connector comprises aferrule assembly including a ferrule portion having a passageway for anoptical fiber, and a plug frame in which is disposed the ferruleassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the plug frame includes inwardlyradially projection, circumferentially spaced splines. The ferruleassembly is disposed in the plug frame such that grooves formed betweensegmented portions of said collar receive splines of the plug frametherebetween to prevent relative rotation between the ferrule assemblyand the plug frame. The ferrule assembly includes a barrel portion whichprojects toward a latching end portion of the plug frame. A ferruleprojects toward an opposite end portion of the plug frame which isdestined to become disposed adjacent to the corresponding end of a plugframe of another connector. The opposite end portion of the plug frameis symmetrical with respect to a transverse cross section. Spring meansis disposed about the portion of the ferrule assembly which projectstoward the latching end portion of the plug frame. The connector alsoincludes a cable retention member which includes a pocket for the springand the barrel portion. The cable retention member effectively preloadsthe spring. The cable retention member includes outwardly projectingtabs each of which is received in a slot in the latching end portion ofthe plug frame to secure the cable retention member to the plug frame.

Because of the symmetry of the opposite end portion of the plug frame,the plug frame may be in any rotational orientation with respect toanother portion of the connector, which is called a grip, when the twoare assembled together. As a result, the ferrule assembly may beassembled with the plug frame after which the eccentricity of theoptical fiber core or ferrule passageway may be determined with anappropriate marking made on the plug frame. Then the plug frame isassembled with the grip in such a way as to align the direction ofeccentricity with a key of the grip. But for the symmetry, the directionof eccentricity would have to be determined first and the ferruleassembly assembled with the plug frame in a particular manner so thatwhen the plug frame was assembled in the only possible orientation withthe grip, the direction of eccentricity would be aligned with the key ofthe grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features of the present invention will be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereofwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a ferrule connectorof this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view partially in section which shows theconnector of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the assembled connector rotated 90° tothe view of FIG. 3 to show a key of a grip in which portions of theconnector are received;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view partially in section of a connector ofthis invention which is used to terminate a buffered optical fiber;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view partially in section of a prior artconnector;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector ofFIG. 1 and a coupling housing in which the optical fiber connector andanother identical optical fiber connector are to be disposed;

FIG. 8 is an end view in section of the assembled connector of FIG. 3showing portions of the grip latched into grooves of a plug frame tosecure together portions of the connector; and

FIG. 9 is an end view of the assembled connector of FIG. 8 with forcesbeing applied to diagonally opposed corners thereof to causedisengagement of the latching portions of the grip with the plug frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a connector which is designatedgenerally by the numeral 20 which is adapted to terminate an opticalfiber cable 21. The connector 20 comprises a ferrule assembly which isdesignated generally by the numeral 22. The ferrule assembly includes abarrel 24 (see also FIG. 2) having a segmented collar 26 at one endthereof. For the purpose of antirotation the collar 26 is provided withsegments 28—28 with a groove 29 formed between each adjacent two of thesegments. Four segments 28—28 are preferred but more or less could beused. Extending from a cavity in an opposite side of the collar 26 is aferrule 30 which is made of a ceramic material, for example, and whichhas an optical fiber receiving passageway 32 formed along a longitudinalcenterline axis thereof. Further, a free end of the ferrule 30 has abeveled portion 34 which facilitates insertion of the ferrule into analignment device. In order to facilitate the insertion of one endportion of an optical fiber 35 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) of the cable 21to be terminated by the ferrule, the barrel includes a bore 36 which isaligned with the passageway in the ferrule and an entrance 37 to theferrule passageway is funnel-shaped. For a buffered optical fiber, forexample, the buffer layer extends to the entrance 37.

Adapted to be assembled with the ferrule assembly 22 are a spring 38 andcable retention member 40 (see also FIGS. 2-4). The cable retentionmember 40 is cylindrically shaped and includes a pocket portion 42adapted to receive the barrel 24 and the spring 38 of the ferruleassembly. Projecting from an outer surface of the pocket portion 42 arecircumferentially disposed tabs 44—44 which are useful for securing thecable retention member to another portion of the connector to bedescribed hereinafter. Also, the cable retention member 40 includes acircumferential groove 45, collars 46 and 48 and a strength memberretention portion 49. The strength member retention portion 49 isadapted to have strength members 47—47 included in a sheath system of asingle optical fiber cable extend into engagement therewith.

Adapted to be assembled to the cable retention member 40 is a crimpportion 50 which includes a stepped cylindrical sleeve 52 having a smalldiameter portion 54 and a large diameter portion 56. The sleeve 52 isadapted to be crimped about an end portion of a single optical fibercable to be terminated by the connector 20. A mandrel 58 includes aflange 59 and a tubular portion 61. An end portion of the cable 21 to beterminated with the mandrel 58 already preinserted is moved into thecrimp portion 50 such that the tubular portion 61 becomes disposedinside the sheath of the cable. The flange 59 becomes disposed justoutside the strength member retention portion 49 or to the left thereofas viewed in FIG. 3. After the optical fiber from the end portion of thecable has been extended into the ferrule assembly such that an end ofthe fiber extends from the ferrule, a craftsperson causes the sleeveportion 54 to be crimped about the cable and the sleeve portion 56 to becrimped about the strength members of the cable from which the jackethas been removed. The tubular portion 61 of the mandrel 58 acts as ananvil during the crimping action to prevent damage to the optical fiber.Strength members 47—47 of the cable such as aramid fiber strengthmembers are disposed about the periphery of the cable retention memberand becomes gripped between the portions 56 and the cable retentionmember 49 as a result of the crimping (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Should the optical fiber cable be simply a buffered fiber 63 (see FIG.5) with no strength members, then the crimp potion 50 is deemedunnecessary. In that arrangement, the optical fiber cable extends intothe barrel portion 24 and the fiber 35 into the passageway 32.

The ferrule assembly 22, the spring 38, the cable retention member 40and a plug frame which is designated generally by the numeral 70 areadapted to be assembled (see FIGS. 1 and 2) together in what may bereferred to as a cable or optical fiber terminator portion of theconnector. The cable or optical fiber terminator portion may be factorypreassembled. Factory assembly saves time and assembly costs in thefield.

The plug frame 70 may be made of a plastic material such aspolycarbonate and includes a forward end portion 72 which is formed withfour chamfers 74—74 one at each two intersecting surfaces 73—73. Theforward end portion 72 which includes a cavity 75 having a circularcross section is integral with a rear end portion 76 which has acircular tubular configuration in a transverse cross-section. The rearend portion 76 includes two diametrically opposed longitudinallyextending slots 78—78 and two circumferentially extending windows 79—79.The rear end portion 76 includes a bore 77 (see FIG. 4) for receivingthe ferrules and which transitions through a tapered portion to thecavity 75. Each of a plurality of splines 81—81 (see FIG. 3) projectradially inwardly from the inner surface of the plug frame. Projectingfrom each outer surface 73 adjacent to the junction with the rear endportion is a detent 91.

As should be apparent from FIG. 2, the forward end portion 72 of theplug frame 70 is symmetrical in a cross section transverse of thelongitudinal axis of the plug frame. In the prior art connector, theleading end was unsymmetrical.

When the ferrule assembly 22 is assembled to the plug frame 70, theferrule 30 is received in the forward end portion and the barrel 24 isreceived in the tubular end portion 76. Segmented portions of theferrule assembly become disposed between the internally projectingsplines 81—82. This prevents rotation of the ferrule assembly 22relative to the plug frame 70. Furthermore, when the ferrule assemblyand the cable retention member are assembled to the plug frame, the tabs44—44 radially projecting from the pocket portion of the cable retentionmember snap-lock into the windows 79—79 of the plug frame to hold thecable retention member secured to the plug frame.

Then the craftsperson tests the cable terminator portion comprising theferrule assembly 22, the spring 38, the plug frame 70 and the cableretention portion 40 to determine the direction of any eccentricity ofthe passageway 32 in the ferrule 30. After this has been determined, thecraftsperson provides a marking or otherwise identifies such directionon the plug frame 70.

Then an end portion of a cable which is to be terminated by theconnector 20 is prepared. An outer jacket is removed from an end portionto expose strength members 47—47 or to expose an optical fiber.Provisions are included for holding the end portion of the cable securedto the connector.

The connector 20 also is provided with a cable strain relief portion 80(see FIGS. 1-4). The cable strain relief portion 80 includes a portion82 which is flexible and includes a large diameter portion 83 and asmall diameter portion 84 joined by a tapered portion 86. Projectingfrom the large diameter portion 83 is a rigid portion 87 which includesa plurality of segments 88—88 each having a hook-like end portion 89.

During the assembly of the strain relief portion 80 with other portionsof the connector, the rigid portion 88 is moved over the crimp portion50. Movement of the strain relief portion 80 is discontinued when thehook-like end portions 89—89 snap-lock into the circumferential groove45 in the cable retention member 40.

This arrangement also is a departure from the prior art. In the priorart connector of FIG. 6, hook-like end portions of the rigid portion ofthe cable strain relief portion latch behind an end portion of the crimpportion 50 instead of in a groove of the cable retention member. Becausethe cable retention member is secured to the plug frame, the securing ofthe strain relief portion to the cable retention member provides a moreintegral structure. Also, advantageously the same elements of theconnector 20 are used to secure the cable retention member to the plugframe in those instances when the transmission media structure beingterminated does not include strength members and the crimp portion isnot used.

As will be recalled, FIG. 5 depicts a connector of this invention whichis adapted to be used to terminate a buffered optical fiber instead of acable. For such an embodiment, the strain relief portion 82 of FIGS. 3-4is modified to have the configuration shown in FIG. 5 and designatedwith the numeral 85.

Then the craftsperson assembles the terminated cable comprising thecable 21, the strain relief portion 80, and the crimp portion 50 and thecable terminator with a grip which is designated generally by thenumeral 90 (see FIG. 1). The grip and the plug frame assembly areconfigured so that the plug frame with the forward end portion 72 may bein any of four rotational orientations with respect to the grip and beassembled thereto. As will be recalled a forward end portion of the plugframe is symmetrical in a cross section normal to a longitudinal axis ofthe connector. The assembly is made so that the marking on the plugframe 70 is aligned with a key 92 projecting from an outer surface 94 ofits grip. In this way, the key 92 is indicative of the direction ofeccentricity of the plug passageway. By causing the direction ofeccentricity of the plug passageway of one ferrule assembly to be in thesame quadrant of another ferrule assembly to which it is opticallyconnected, losses are reduced substantially. Of course, it should beunderstood that the direction of eccentricity could be that of the coreof the optical fiber in which situation, the determination ofeccentricity is made after the cable has been terminated by the cableterminator portion of the connector 20.

Such an arrangement is advantageous over the prior art. In a prior artSC connector (see FIG. 6), the terminated cable had to be in apredetermined orientation with respect to the grip 90 to enableassembly. Hence for the direction of eccentricity of the ferrulepassageway or of the optical fiber core to be aligned with the key 92,the ferrule assembly had to be assembled to the plug frame such that theeccentricity was in a particular direction with respect to the plugframe. This required that the direction of eccentricity be determinedprior to the assembly of the ferrule assembly to the plug frame. Withthe arrangement of this invention, the ferrule assembly is assembled tothe plug frame after which the direction of eccentricity of the plugpassageway or fiber core is determined. The direction of eccentricitycan be determined before or after the optical fiber is disposed in theferrule passageway.

It also should be mentioned that the arrangement of the segmented collarof the ferrule assembly 22 and the splines 81—81 can be used to causethe quadrant of eccentricity of the optical fiber core or passageway inthe ferrule to be aligned with a particular spline which cause it tohave a known orientation with respect to an outer portion of the plugframe.

As can be seen in the drawings, the grip 90 comprises an elongatedplastic housing 96 having one end 98 (see FIG. 1) into which the plugframe assembly is inserted and an opposite end 99 which is adapted to beinserted into a coupling housing 100 (see FIG. 7) in order to facilitatean optical connection between two optical fibers terminated by twoferrule assemblies. The assembly is made to cause the key 92 of the gripto be received in a keyway 102 of the housing 100. A free end portion ofa ferrule 30 is received in an alignment sleeve 105 (see FIG. 7). At itsend 98, the housing 96 is formed with two locking nubs 101—101 formed inopposite internal corners. Each locking nub 101 is adapted to snap-lockinto a groove 103 (see FIG. 2) along one of the chamfers 74—74 of theplug frame (see FIG. 8). This secures the plug frame to the grip. Inorder to disassemble the plug frame from the grip, a craftsperson needonly squeeze the grip at opposite corners thereof (see FIG. 9). Thiscauses the tabs to become disposed outside the grooves of the plug frameand allows the plug frame assembly to be withdrawn from the housing ofthe grip.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the coupling housing 100 is formed with twolongitudinally aligned keyways 102—102. When two connectors 20—20 eachincluding a grip are inserted into the housing with the keys alignedaxially, the connectors become connected such that the quadrantdirection of eccentricity of the ferrule passageways or fiber cores arealigned.

The connector also has provisions for becoming secured to the couplinghousing 100. As will be recalled, each forward surface 73 of the plugframe 70 is formed with a detent 91 projecting therefrom. As is seen inFIG. 7, the near end of the coupling housing includes a depressiblelatching finger 106. A second latching finger 106 extends from anopposite wall but is not seen in FIG. 7. The far end of the couplinghousing also is provided with a pair of opposed latching fingers. Aconnector 20 is inserted into the coupling housing until the latchingfingers 106—106 associated with the end of the housing into which theconnector is inserted ride past beams 107—107 which define openings108—108 and along sidewalls 109—109 and snap-lock behind opposed detents91—91 of the plug frame. Because the plug frame is provided with foursuch detents 91—91, the latching of the connector 20 to the couplinghousing 100 can occur notwithstanding which of four orientations, 90° toone another, the plug frame is in relative to the coupling housing.

The configurations of the detents 91—91 and of the latching fingers106—106 are such that upon the application of forces of a predeterminedmagnitude, typically on the order of about 2-4 lbs. to the grip 90 in adirection toward the cable 21, the latching fingers 106—106 are cammedup along the sidewalls 109—109 which causes the latching fingers to bespread apart to facilitate withdrawal of the connector 20 from thecoupling housing 100.

Another feature of the connector 20 is shown in FIG. 7. The grip 90 isformed to include ports 110—110 which allow viewing of the plug frame 70which may be a different color than that of the grip. During insertionof the grip 90 into a coupling housing 100, the non-visibility of theports is indicative of full insertion of the grip into the couplinghousing. This feature avoids the need to provide a secondary marking onthe grip, the non-visibility of such serving the same function.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised bythose skilled in the art which will embody the principles of theinvention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

We claim:
 1. An optical fiber connector, said connector comprising: aferrule assembly including a ferrule portion having a passageway for anoptical fiber, and a barrel; a plug frame in which is disposed saidferrule assembly, said barrel of said ferrule assembly projecting towarda latching end portion of said plug frame and said ferrule projectingtoward an opposite end portion of said plug frame, said opposite endportion of said plug frame being symmetrical with respect to a crosssection of said plug frame which is normal to a longitudinal axis ofsaid connector ; spring means disposed about said portion of saidferrule assembly which projects toward said latching end portion of saidplug frame; and a cable retention member which is assembled to said plugframe and which includes a pocket for said spring means and said barrel,said cable retention member including outwardly projecting tabs each ofwhich is received in a slot in said latching end portion of said plugframe to secure said cable retention member to said plug frame, saidcable retention means being effective to preload said spring means, anda housing in which said plug frame is disposed and which has alongitudinal axis, said plug frame capable of being assembled to saidhousing in any one of a plurality of rotational orientations withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said connector , and wherein thehousing is provided with at least one port about the circumference of anintermediate portion thereof, each of said ports exposing the plug framewhich is inserted into said grip, said ports of said grip being enclosedby said coupling housing when said grip is seated fully in and couplinghousing.
 2. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 26, which alsoincludes a crimp portion which includes a sleeve which includes a largediameter portion which is capable of being crimped about a portion ofsaid cable retention member with portions of a cable sheath systemdisposed between said large diameter portion of said crimp portion andsaid cable retention member and a small diameter portion which iscapable of being crimped about a portion of a cable.
 3. The opticalfiber connector of claim 2 4, wherein said crimp portion includes amandrel having a portion which becomes disposed in said large diameterportion of said sleeve, through which extends optical fibers of a cablebeing terminated and about which is disposed strength members of thecable so that the strength members may be secured between the largediameter portion of the sleeve and an outer surface of the cableretention member.
 4. The optical fiber connector of claim 2 26, whereina central portion of said cable retention member includescircumferentially extending tabs each of which is adapted to be receivedin an opening of said plug frame to secure said cable retention memberto said plug frame.
 5. The optical fiber connector of claim 4, whereinsaid connector comprises a grip which includes said housing and whichincludes a leading end portion having outer surfaces and a centralcavity for receiving said plug frame assembly and a key protecting fromone of the outer surfaces of the leading end portion of said housing,said opposite end portion of said plug frame including four outerorthogonal surfaces and being capable of being assembled to said gripsuch that any one of said outer surfaces of said opposite end portion ofsaid plug frame is aligned with said key.
 6. The optical fiber connectorof claim 5, wherein said plug frame is assembled to said grip to causethe direction of any eccentricity of said passageway in said ferrule tobe in the same quadrant as said key.
 7. The optical fiber connector ofclaim 6 1, wherein said ferrule assembly includes a segmented collarwith said barrel and said ferrule portion extending from opposite sidesthereof, said plug frame including inwardly radially projecting,circumferentially spaced splines, said ferrule assembly being disposedin said plug frame such that grooves formed between segmented portionsof said collar receive splines of said plug frame therebetween toprevent relative rotation between said plug frame and said ferruleassembly.
 8. The optical fiber connector of claim 7, wherein two opposedinner portions of said grip of said leading end portion of said grip areprovided with inwardly projecting latching nubs, said opposite endportion of said plug frame including a beveled surface at theintersection of each two outer surfaces of said opposite end portion ofsaid plug frame, each said beveled surface being an invert of a grooveformed by sidewalls which connect to said orthogonal surfaces of saidopposite end portion of said plug frame, whereupon assembly of said plugframe to said housing of said grip, one of said latching nubs of saidhousing of said grip becomes disposed in one of said grooves and theopposed one of said latching nubs becomes disposed in a diagonallyopposite one of said grooves.
 9. The optical fiber connector of claim 8,wherein each of said orthogonal surfaces of said opposite end portion ofsaid plug frame is provided with a detent and a leading end portion ofsaid housing of said grip includes opposed walls and opposed openings,said assembly of said plug frame with said housing of said grip to causesaid latching nubs of said grip to become disposed in two of saidgrooves of said plug frame and the assembly of said grip with a couplinghousing causing latching fingers of said coupling housing to snap-lockbehind each of two opposed detents to secure said connector to thecoupling housing.
 10. The optical fiber connector of claim 9 27, whereinthe arrangement of said latching nubs and said grooves in said oppositeend portion of said plug frame is such that the application ofcompressive forces to diagonally opposed outer corner portions of saidhousing of said grip which are aligned with said latching nubs causesdisengagement of said latching nubs with said grooves and allowswithdrawal of said plug frame from said grip.
 11. The optical fiberconnector of claim 9 1, which also includes a cable strain reliefportion having a small diameter cable entry portion which transitions toa large diameter end portion which is adapted to be disposed about saidcrimp portion and connected to said cable retention member.
 12. Theoptical fiber connector of claim 10, wherein said plug frame is adaptedto be assembled to said housing of said grip when any one of saidorthogonal surfaces of said opposite end portion of said plug frame isaligned with the outer surface of said housing of said grip whichincludes said key.
 13. The optical fiber connector of claim 12, which isadapted to become assembled to a coupling housing with said passagewayof said ferrule being aligned with a passageway of a ferrule of anothersuch connector which is aligned coaxially therewith in the couplinghousing.
 14. A terminated optical fiber, which includes: a length ofoptical fiber; and an optical fiber connector which terminates saidlength of optical fiber, said optical fiber connector comprising: aferrule assembly including a ferrule portion having a passageway for anoptical fiber, and a barrel; a plug frame in which is disposed saidferrule assembly, said barrel of said ferrule assembly projecting towarda latching end portion of said plug frame and said ferrule projectingtoward an opposite end portion of said plug frame, said opposite endportion of said plug frame being symmetrical with respect to a crosssection of said plug frame which is normal to a longitudinal axis ofsaid connector; spring means disposed about said portion of said ferruleassembly which projects toward said latching end portion of said plugframe; a cable retention member which is assembled to said plug frameand which includes a pocket for said spring means and said barrelportion, said cable retention member including outwardly projecting tabseach of which is received in a slot in said latching end portion of saidplug frame to secure said cable retention member to said plug frame,said cable retention means being effective to preload said spring means;and a housing in which said plug frame is disposed and which has alongitudinal axis, said plug frame capable of being assembled to saidhousing in any one of a plurality of rotational orientations withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said connector and wherein thehousing is provided with ports spaced about the circumference of anintermediate portion thereof, said ports exposing the plug frame whichis inserted into said grip, said ports of said grip being enclosed bysaid coupling housing when said grip is seated fully in said couplinghousing.
 15. The terminated optical fiber of claim 16 28, wherein acentral portion of said cable retention member includescircumferentially extending tabs each of which is adapted to be receivedin an opening of said plug frame to secure said cable retention memberto said plug frame.
 16. The terminated optical fiber of claim 15, whichalso includes a grip which includes said housing in which said plugframe is disposed, said housing of said grip including a leading endportion which includes outer surfaces and which includes a centralcavity for receiving said plug frame and a key projecting from one ofsaid outer surfaces of said housing of said grip, said opposite endportion of said plug frame including four outer orthogonal surfaces andbeing capable of being assembled to said grip such that any one of saidouter surfaces of said opposite end portion of said plug frame isaligned with said key.
 17. The terminated optical fiber of claim 16,wherein said plug frame is assembled to said grip to cause the directionof eccentricity of said passageway in said ferrule to be in the samequadrant as said key.
 18. The terminated optical fiber of claim 17 15,wherein two opposed inner portions of said grip of said leading endportion of said grip are provided with inwardly projecting latchingnubs, said opposite end portion of said plug frame including a beveledsurface at the intersection of each two surfaces of said opposite endportion of said plug frame, said beveled surface being an invert of agroove formed by sidewalls which connect to orthogonal surfaces of saidopposite end portion of said plug frame, whereupon assembly of said plugframe to said housing of said grip, one of said latching nubs of saidhousing of said grip becomes disposed in one of said grooves and theopposed one of said latching nubs becomes disposed in a diagonallyopposite one of said grooves.
 19. An optical fiber connection, whichincludes: a coupling housing; and two terminated optical fibers, eachbeing a terminated optical fiber as set forth in claim
 14. 20. Theoptical fiber connection of claim 19, wherein a central portion of saidcable retention member includes circumferentially extending tabs each ofwhich is adapted to be received in an opening of said plug frame tosecure said cable retention member to said plug frame.
 21. The opticalfiber connection of claim 20, which also includes a grip which includessaid housing in which said plug frame is disposed, said housing whichincludes outer surfaces and which includes a central cavity forreceiving said plug frame assembly and a key projecting from one of saidouter surfaces of a leading end portion of said housing of said grip,said opposite end portion of said plug frame including four outerorthogonal surfaces and being capable of being assembled to said gripsuch that any one of said outer surfaces of said opposite end of saidplug frame is aligned with said key.
 22. The optical fiber connection ofclaim 21, wherein said plug frame is assembled to said grip to cause thedirection of eccentricity of said passageway in said ferrule to be inthe same quadrant as said key.
 23. The optical fiber connection of claim22, wherein two opposed inner portions of said grip of said leading endportion of said grip are provided with inwardly projecting latchingnubs, said opposite end portion of said plug frame including a beveledsurface at the intersection of each two orthogonal surfaces of saidopposite end portion of said plug frame, said beveled surface being aninvert of a groove formed by sidewalls which connect to orthogonalsurfaces of said opposite end portion of said plug frame, whereuponassembly of said plug frame to said housing of said grip, one of saidlatching nubs of said housing of said grip becomes disposed in one ofsaid grooves and the opposed one of said latching nubs becomes disposedin a diagonally opposite one of said grooves.
 24. The optical fiberconnection of claim 23, wherein said grip is provided with ports spacedabout the circumference of an intermediate portion thereof, said portsexposing the plug frame which is inserted into said grip, said ports ofsaid grip being enclosed by said coupling housing when said grip isseated fully in said coupling housing.
 25. The optical fiber connectionof claim 24, wherein said coupling horsing includes opposed latchingfingers at each end portion thereof and said plug frame includes adetent disposed along each of said four outer orthogonal surfaces suchthat when said grip is inserted into one end of said coupling housing,the latching fingers associated with said one end of said housing aremoved into openings in said housing of said grip and snap-lock behinddetents of said plug frame to secure said grip to said coupling housing.26. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, which also includes a cableretention member which is assembled to said plug frame and whichincludes a pocket for said spring means and said barrel, said cableretention member including outwardly projecting tabs each of which isreceived in a slot in said latching end portion of said plug frame tosecure said cable retention member to said plug frame, said cableretention means being effective to preload said spring means.
 27. Theterminated optical fiber of claim 1, wherein two opposed inner portionsof said grip of said leading end portion of said grip are provided withinwardly projecting latching nubs, said opposite end portion of saidplug frame including a beveled surface at the intersection of each twosurfaces of said opposite end portion of said plug frame, said beveledsurface being an invert of a groove formed by sidewalls which connect toorthogonal surfaces of said opposite end portion of said plug frame,whereupon assembly of said plug frame to said housing of said grip, oneof said latching nubs of said housing of said grip becomes disposed inone of said grooves and the opposed one of said latching nubs becomesdisposed in a diagonally opposite one of said grooves.
 28. Theterminated optical fiber of claim 14, which also includes a cableretention member which is assembled to said plug frame and whichincludes a pocket for said spring means and said barrel, said cableretention member including outwardly projecting tabs each of which isreceived in a slot in said latching end portion of said plug frame tosecure said cable retention member to said plug frame, said cableretention means being effective to preload said spring means.
 29. Theoptical fiber connector of claim 18, wherein the arrangement of saidlatching nubs and said grooves in said opposite end portion of said plugframe is such that the application of compressive forces to diagonallyopposed outer corner portions of said housing of said grip which arealigned with said latching nubs causes disengagement of said latchingnubs with said grooves and allows withdrawal of said plug frame fromsaid grip.